A FACTORY in Glasgow has been forced to evacuate and halt operations after Palestine Action Scotland activists made their way onto the roof.
A team of six activists got onto the roof of the Thales Glasgow building in Govan in the early hours of this morning.
They say they are currently occupying the building, rendering it unusable and forcing workers to evacuate.
Thales, which has eight UK sites, manufactures military drones and missile systems among other weaponry.
The company has worked alongside the Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems on the Watchkeeper Drone scheme.
Inside the factory, Palestine Action Scotland say they have dismantled and destroyed factory equipment and facilities.
The group commented: “Today’s action has begun the campaign to end Scottish complicity in the apartheid, dispossession and ethnic cleansing enacted on Palestinians by the Israeli occupation."
They went on: “Using the tried and tested tactics in of direct action – disruptions, occupations and blockades – the group hopes to build on the success of parent group Palestine Action, and its ongoing campaign across England and Wales to ‘Shut Elbit Down’.”
Police Scotland officers are currently at the scene.
A force spokesperson said: "Around 6.25am on Wednesday, June 1, police were called to a report of a demonstration within the grounds of a business premise in Linthouse Road, Govan, Glasgow. Officers remain at the scene.
"Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do.
"We have a duty under the European Convention on Human Rights to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest balanced against the rights of the wider community."
Thales has been contacted for comment.
